Page 35 of Sinful in Scrubs

Kevin shook my hand firmly. “Always good to see you, Marcus.”

“You just let the kids come down here at any time?” Carol said, wasting no time before diving into her critique.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Carol,” I said carefully.

“Jason was just telling me how he comes here after school to do his homework, and how both he and Lily sometimes come and have dinner with you. Wandering the city like that—it’s not safe.”

“It’s not as if they’re small children, Carol,” I said. “They’re teenagers, and they aren’t wandering the city. They know how to take a cab to get from point A to point B. They always text me when they get home.”

“They are your children, and they are walking around the city unaccompanied,” she said sharply.

I set my shoulders and pasted a passive grin on my face. “I understand your concern, Carol, but they’re responsible. I trust them. When they come to the hospital after dark, they take a cab, just as I assume you did this evening.”

Carol’s disapproving huff was almost loud enough to echo.

“Jason has been telling us that you have a girlfriend,” she said suddenly, her tone accusatory.

The unexpected shift in topic caught me off guard. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Jason seems to think you have a girlfriend,” she said, her voice climbing an octave.

I looked at Jason, who was staring at me with wide, innocent eyes. “Are you talking about Emma?”

He nodded eagerly.

“Emma is a work colleague Jason happens to like,” I said, my tone firm. “We’re not dating, if that’s your concern.”

“Well, don’t you think it’s a little too soon?” Carol pressed.

“Too soon for what? To live? To love? Carol, it’s been three years.”

“Three years is hardly enough time to erase the memory of my daughter,” she said, blinking hard as if to keep her emotions in check.

“A lifetime wouldn’t be enough to erase the memory of Blair,” I said softly. “But let me be clear, if I decide to date again, it doesn’t erase her memory. Nothing ever could. She was the love of my life, and I was lucky she chose me.”

I turned to face my kids. “Your mom was singularly exceptional, and I still love her. That won’t ever change. But she wouldn’t want me to stay sad and lonely. She told me as much when she was sick.”

“So, you’re telling me my daughter told you to move on and forget her?”

“No,” I said firmly. “Blair didn’t use those words. She told me not to wallow in misery and that I should find love again if I could.”

I pressed my fist against my chest. The hollowness inside that I was left with when Blair passed was growing smaller every day. And after meeting Emma, it seemed to be filling up even quicker. “I’m starting to feel… maybe, I might be open to the idea again. But nothing—no one—will ever replace Blair.”

The room fell into an awkward silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Finally, Carol sighed, her expression softening just a fraction.

“I just want what’s best for the kids,” she said quietly.

“So do I,” I replied. “And that includes showing them that it’s okay to move forward, even when it’s hard.”

Jason tugged at my sleeve, breaking the tension. “Can we get dessert now?”

I chuckled, grateful for the distraction. “Yes, we can.”

17

EMMA

“How do I look?” I posed just inside the entry of the decorated atrium as I ran into Sarah at our agreed meeting place. The gala was held at the hospital in the beautiful atrium. It really was a lovely place, so it made sense to use it and show it off at every opportunity.

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